This study aims to isolate endosymbiontic fungi from the marine sponge Lamellodysidea herbacea and to explore their
antioxidant potential. Marine-derived fungi, with their vast biodiversity, are considered a promising source of novel
antioxidants which can replace synthetic ones. Marine sponges have previously reported bioactive properties that could ameliorate oxidative stress, particularly their associated fungi, producing high-frequency bioactive molecules (adaptogenic molecules) in response to stressors. 19 endosymbiont fungi associated with marine sponges were isolated, and their extracts were evaluated for their
antioxidant capacities. Extract of an endosymbiont fungus, isolate
SPG6, identified as Alternaria destruens, through surface electron microscopy (SEM) and ITS gene sequencing, showed broad range
antioxidant activities (EC50 values) (
free radical scavenging 32.54 mg L-1,
Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity < 0.078 g L-1, total reducing power 0.114 g L-1, Chelating power 0.262 g L-1, H2O2 scavenging activity < 0.078 g L-1, and
Superoxide radical scavenging activity > 5.0 g L-1). The extract of isolate
SPG6 was fractioned and analyzed through GC-MS. Marine sponge-associated endosymbiont fungi are a rich source of
antioxidant molecules.
Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-024-03972-1.